United Methodist Women at Belin Memorial United Methodist Church in Murrells Inlet are working to create cleaning buckets for victims of disasters.

They are asking for the public’s help with supplies and donations for this The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) project.

“People in our area can have a hands-on role to aid people in our country,” said Diane Strickland, president of the United Methodist Women at Belin Church.

“Our goal is 200 buckets, but we think that is a conservative number and we could produce more than that with help from the community.”

The public can help by purchasing and filling a 5-gallon lidded bucket with the supplies on the UMCOR list, or purchase some items from the list, or make a monetary donation.

Donations can be brought to the UMCOR Cleaning Bucket booth at Belin’s Blessing of the Inlet festival on Saturday, May 5, or deliver them to Belin Family Life Center by May 20.

Walmart, Food Lion, Home Depot, Lowe’s Home Improvement Center and Drunken Jack’s Restaurant have contributed to this project and organizers welcome other businesses that can help.

Last year, UMCOR shipped out over 18,000 Cleaning Buckets all over the U.S. to survivors of floods, tornadoes and hurricanes.

This year, many areas have needed the buckets in the South and Midwest because of spring storms.

Strickland reminds local people that hurricane season is right around the corner.

“We hope that we won’t need to be the recipients of our own buckets, but you never know,” Strickland said.

She added that these buckets will remind victims of disasters that they are loved and not alone.

“We are not just providing buckets. We are providing hope,” Strickland said.

Senior Pastor mike Alexander agreed.

“I think this project shows how the United Methodist Women at this church have a sensitivity to people in need and to address the needs of people in crisis, following up with prayers.”

Supplies for buckets

• 5 gallon bucket with resealable lid

Buckets from restaurants and bakeries can be used if washed and cleaned.

Do not use buckets that have stored chemicals such as paint or pool cleaner.

• Liquid laundry detergent

Two 25 oz. or one 50 oz. bottles only

• Liquid household cleaner

12-16 oz. liquid cleaner that can be mixed with water

No spray cleaners

• Dish Soap

16-28 oz. bottle any brand

• 1 can air freshener-aerosol or pump

• 1 insect repellent spray

6-14 oz. aerosol or spray pump with protective cover

• 18 Cleaning Wipes

Disposable wipes or reusable wipes

No terry cleaning towels, remove from packaging

• 1 scrub brush-plastic or wooden handle

• 7 sponges-remove from wrapper

• 5 Scouring Pads-remove from wrapper

• 50 clothespins-remove from packaging

• Clothes line-cotton or plastic

two 50 ft. or one 100 ft.

• 24 roll heavy duty trash bags-remove from the box

• 5 dust masks

• 2 pair disposable waterproof gloves-rubber or latex, remove from packaging

• 1 pair work gloves-cotton or leather

• Envelope containing $1.50 for processing-cash or check made out to Belin UMW, put in bucket

For more information visit www.belinumc.org, or call the church office at 843-651-5099.

By Clayton Stairs

cstairs@inletoutlook.com